I've been doing a lot of thinking about spiritual gifts, and how they should be used. I know all the verses about gifts, and I know that there are so very many different kinds. What I've been thinking about, is how to use a particular gift I have been given, and weather or not it would be wrong to choose a profession that would totally take me away from utilizing those gifts for quite a while.
God has given me the gift of music, and has put a desire on my heart to minister to people through it. People tell me all the time that I should do something bigger with my gifts, and I feel that I would like that. To God's glory of course. It's just that the career that I'm about to make full-time, would take me out of that serving capacity. So is it wrong to not use your spiritual gift(s)? I mean, the occupation I'm in I enjoy very much, and I get a chance to minister to people in a different way, but it's not the same.
I just can't help but feel like I've given up on my dream to use this gift because it's too hard. Also because I have soo much pressure on me to "grow up" and start a career, and get a house, a wife, be stable etc. So what's the answer? I still haven't figured it out. Maybe there's no clear answer? Maybe it's in front of my face? Maybe you can help?..... God bless
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If you have a gift of compassion and with it a gift of discernment, then that is something you would automatically use in your role as a police officer. It would certainly be an important gift to use there. Now, with that gift in mind, if you could sing with skill, or write music with skill, or play an instrument with skill, then you could do it with the PASSION that your gift of discernment or compassion gives you.
So, I didn't give you an answer! But I did help you frame it.
I believe that God gives us gifts to be used kind of like the bullets in a gun, meaning, where you point and shoot is left up to your discretion. To clarify – I mean your gifts equip you to carry out your job and purpose in life better. There are gifts and there are talents. Talents are learned abilities, such as you learned to play the guitar but your gift from God may be your voice and the compassion you have for praising Him.
See the difference? Anyway – I also feel that when in alignment with God you have a playing ground something like a “football field.” God expects you to love and enjoy life playing on the football field running wherever you want and playing whatever position you want – just staying in alignment with Him. Some people find in running around that field that they have a bigger impact in serving God by playing a certain position and in your case that could be Police work and the enlightenment you could bring of God there for just one person. It is so hard to follow your desires when you think it must be “exactly” right. I truly believe that you will find a passion for something and then you will put all of your “God gifts” into that passion. Singing and playing or talking with passion about or to God is still – evangelizing, just from different points on the field.
I do know for sure – that your gifts change and grow just as you’re learning of God grows – or this could just be an awakening of a gift you weren’t aware of – but it happens. So for now, maybe you can expand your profession and look for how your gifts can be used there and elsewhere. Never feel like you have to give up one for the other. Life keeps happening and you will continue to grow in relationship with God – don’t be in a hurry – you could miss something important that He is showing you. That’s my thoughts – I hope it helps a bit. God bless you and keeping praying about it and "Keep running on the field"
"There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men."
Keep your life aligned in Him, and his plan for you will become increasingly clear.
OUT
Thanks for the humor, and I promise not to use football anymore as an example of where to run and play for God.
Thank you both so much for responding. Your insights have made me think about all of this even more, and it's driving me crazy! I'm sure there's a purpose behind it all. I played football for several years in high school, and after. I'm a big football fan, and I loved your analogy Lucy!
And thank you chad for pointing out that those two things don't have to be mutually exclusive. That was a tremendous insight. I know you're absolutely right, yet I still feel that way! It's weird.
God bless you both
I understand that there are talents and there are gifts given to each of us by God. We need to be open to Him using them in different ways asn different capacities at different times. I also believe that at times some of them are put to rest for a while or God is moving us in a diferent use that one may not be aware of. Ee have a friend who has a pastoral heart and does he feel he needs to be a pastor or use that gift only in church - no. He actually is a police officier who ministers to other officiers by doing funerals, speaking at occassions they have etc. I would encourage you to follow your heart - what is it that God wants you to do - not 'what is it that others (friends, family members, church people etc.) want you to do. Colossians tells us that 'the peace of God will guide us in the decisions we make.' And as you walk this pathway be open to God - He will show you the right direction by opening and closing doors. Some times we make it way to hard to go on in our lives; I truly believe that God will honor your trust in Him and He will help you make the right choices. Blessings, June
An affirmation of that here would serve you well. But would it really be the truth?
I HAVE JUST DEPOSITED
LOVE AND BLESSINGS
INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT
AND THE BEST PART IS THAT
IT WILL COST YOU NOTHING
I ASK THAT YOU JUST USE IT IN ABUNDANCE
YOUR PIN NUMBER IS: J-E-S-U-S
**IMPORTANT NOTICE**
IF YOU LOSE YOUR PIN, YOU LOSE EVERYTHING
MAKE A DEPOSIT IN SOMEONE ELSE'S ACCOUNT TODAY!!
MAY YOUR TROUBLES BE LESS
YOUR BLESSINGS BE MORE
AND NOTHING BUT HAPPINESS
COME THROUGH YOUR DOOR
Have a great day, June